A last-minute hearing in Luigi Mangione's federal murder case has been scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m., fueling speculation about a possible plea deal with prosecutors to avoid trial.
The hearing was requested jointly by prosecutors and Mangione's defense team. Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan street in December 2024.
The timing of the federal hearing comes shortly after a judge scheduled jury selection in Mangione's New York state trial to begin on September 5. According to sources, the timing indicates Mangione's defense team may be pursuing a double-jeopardy argument in federal court that could result in a plea deal throwing out the state charges.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges after his arrest. His state trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, while his federal trial is currently set for January 5, 2027.
Discussions about a possible plea deal occurred in June, when defense attorneys for Mangione and federal prosecutors in Manhattan discussed a potential guilty plea ahead of a hearing, according to sources familiar with the matter. At that time, sources said it was unclear how close the two sides came to an agreement before negotiations stopped.
Mangione's lead attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo disputed an ABC News report about those June discussions, stating that information attributed to anonymous sources was part of a pattern by prosecutors and law enforcement to prejudice her client and manipulate public opinion. However, other sources with direct knowledge told outlets there had been no plea bargain negotiations between prosecutors and the defense team at that time.
Under criminal law, Mangione retains the option of changing his plea at any time before or during trial.
Related Articles
Mangione court hearing delayed due to paperwork filing error
Luigi Mangione's state murder case hearing was postponed to Wednesday after prosecutors failed to file required paperwork for his Tuesday appearance.
Luigi Mangione returns to court ahead of state murder trial
Mangione appears for pre-trial conference before jury selection begins September 8 in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing case.
Luigi Mangione's federal trial scheduled for January 2027
The UnitedHealthcare CEO killing suspect's federal trial will begin in January 2027, separate from his state case set for September.
Judge to rule on evidence in Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial
A New York judge will decide Monday whether evidence seized from Mangione's backpack can be used in his state trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione withdraws psychiatric defense one day after filing it
Luigi Mangione's legal team reversed course Thursday, abandoning the extreme emotional disturbance defense they had announced Wednesday in his state murder trial.
Judge allows gun and notebook as evidence in Mangione murder trial
A New York judge ruled Monday that a gun and notebook found in Luigi Mangione's backpack may be used at trial, but suppressed other items seized during his arrest.
